Constant force coaxial cable connector

ABSTRACT

A coaxial cable connector generally includes a connector body, a nut rotatably coupled to the connector body, a post disposed in the connector body and a biasing element acting between the post and the nut. The nut has an internal thread for engagement with an external thread of a mating connector. The internal thread of the nut and the external thread of the mating connector can be mismatched, wherein an interference fit is created therebetween upon connection of the nut to the mating connector. Also, the post can have a forward flanged base portion disposed within the axial length of the internally threaded surface of the nut, which, together with the biasing element, provides a constant force between the post and the nut.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/943,943, filed on Jun. 14, 2007, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to connectors for terminatingcoaxial cable. More particularly, the present invention relates to acoaxial cable connector having structural features to positively securethe connector to any F port regardless of the type of material, castingor plating specifications.

It has long been known to use connectors to terminate coaxial cable soas to connect a cable to various electronic devices such as televisions,radios and the like. Prior art coaxial connectors generally include aconnector body having an annular collar for accommodating a coaxialcable, an annular nut rotatably coupled to the collar for providingmechanical attachment of the connector to an external device and anannular post interposed between the collar and the nut. A resilientsealing O-ring may also be positioned between the collar and the nut atthe rotatable juncture thereof to provide a water resistant sealthereat. The collar includes a cable receiving end for insertablyreceiving an inserted coaxial cable and, at the opposite end of theconnector body, the nut includes an internally threaded end extentpermitting screw threaded attachment of the body to an external device.

This type of coaxial connector further typically includes a lockingsleeve to secure the cable within the body of the coaxial connector. Thelocking sleeve, which is typically formed of a resilient plastic, issecurable to the connector body to secure the coaxial connector thereto.In this regard, the connector body typically includes some form ofstructure to cooperatively engage the locking sleeve. Such structure mayinclude one or more recesses or detents formed on an inner annularsurface of the connector body, which engages cooperating structureformed on an outer surface of the sleeve. A coaxial cable connector ofthis type is shown and described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No.6,530,807.

Conventional coaxial cables typically include a center conductorsurrounded by an insulator. A conductive foil is disposed over theinsulator and a braided conductive shield surrounds the foil coveredinsulator. An outer insulative jacket surrounds the shield. In order toprepare the coaxial cable for termination, the outer jacket is strippedback exposing an extent of the braided conductive shield which is foldedback over the jacket. A portion of the insulator covered by theconductive foil extends outwardly from the jacket and an extent of thecenter conductor extends outwardly from within the insulator.

Upon assembly, a coaxial cable is inserted into the cable receiving endof the connector body, wherein the annular post is forced between thefoil covered insulator and the conductive shield of the cable. In thisregard, the post is typically provided with a radially enlarged barb tofacilitate expansion of the cable jacket. The locking sleeve is thenmoved axially into the connector body to clamp the cable jacket againstthe post barb providing both cable retention and a water-tight sealaround the cable jacket. The connector can then be attached to anexternal device by tightening the internally threaded nut to anexternally threaded terminal or port of the external device.

One problem with such prior art connectors is the connector's tendencyover time to become disconnected from the external device to which it isconnected. Specifically, the internally threaded nut for providingmechanical attachment of the connector to an external device has atendency to back-off or loosen itself from the threaded port connectionof the external device over time. Once the connector becomessufficiently loosened, electrical connection between the coaxial cableand the external device is broken, resulting in a failed condition.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide a coaxial connector withstructural features to enhance retaining of the connector nut to athreaded port of an external device and to minimize the nut's tendencyto back-off or loosen itself from the port.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a coaxial cableconnector for terminating a coaxial cable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coaxialcable connector having structure to enhance retaining of the connectorto any external device port regardless of the type of material, castingor plating specifications of the port.

In the efficient attainment of these and other objects, the presentinvention provides a coaxial cable connector. The connector of thepresent invention generally includes a connector body having a forwardend and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving a cable and a nutrotatably coupled to the forward end of the connector body. The nut hasan internal thread for engagement with an external thread of a matingconnector. The internal thread of the nut and the external thread of themating connector are mismatched, wherein an interference fit is createdtherebetween upon connection of the nut to the mating connector.

In a preferred embodiment, the internal thread of the nut is conicallytapered over at least a portion of the thread length. In an alternativeembodiment, the internal thread of the nut has a number of threads perunit length which is different than the number of threads per unitlength provided on the external thread of the mating connector. In bothembodiments, the coaxial cable connector further preferably includes anannular post disposed within the connector body and a biasing elementacting between the post and the nut.

The present invention further involves a method for reducing thetendency of a coaxial cable connector to loosen itself from a deviceport. The method generally includes the steps of providing a device portwith an external thread, providing a coaxial cable connector with a nuthaving an internal thread and connecting the connector nut with thedevice port by engaging the external thread of the port with theinternal thread of the connector nut, wherein the internal thread of thenut and the external thread of the port are mismatched to create aninterference fit therebetween.

The present invention further provides a coaxial cable connectorincluding a connector body having a forward end and a rearward cablereceiving end for receiving a cable, a nut rotatably coupled to theforward end of the connector body, an annular post disposed within theconnector body and a biasing element acting between the post and thenut. The nut has an internally threaded surface for engagement with anexternal thread of a mating connector. The internally threaded surfacehas an axial length and the post has a forward flanged base portiondisposed within the axial length of the internally threaded surface ofthe nut.

The nut preferably includes an internal radial flange having a forwardfacing wall and the flanged base portion of the post includes a rearwardfacing wall, wherein the forward facing wall of the nut radial flangeand the rearward facing wall of the post flanged base portion define anannular chamber for receiving the biasing element. In a preferredembodiment, at least one thread of the nut threaded surface is disposedwithin the annular chamber rearward of the rearward facing wall of thepost flanged base portion.

The post preferably includes a step formed on an outer surface thereof.The step engages a forward end of the connector body for positioning thepost flanged base portion within the axial length of the internallythreaded surface of the nut.

Also, the flanged base portion of the post preferably has a maximumouter diameter and the internally threaded surface of the nut has aminimal inner diameter. The maximum outer diameter of the post flangedbase portion is smaller than the minimal inner diameter of the nutthreaded surface, whereby the post flanged base portion is axiallymovable with respect to the internally threaded surface of the nut.

The present invention further involves a method for reducing thetendency of a coaxial cable connector to loosen itself from a deviceport. The method generally includes the step of connecting a connectornut, as described above, with a device port by rotating the nut in afirst direction, thereby engaging an externally threaded surface of theport with the internally threaded surface of the connector nut, wherebya biasing element urges a forward facing wall of the post flanged baseportion against a rearward facing wall of the port device, whereby thenut is permitted to rotate in a reverse direction up to three hundredsixty degrees before the forward facing wall of the post flanged baseportion breaks contact with the rearward facing wall of the port device.

A preferred form of the coaxial connector, as well as other embodiments,objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of illustrative embodimentsthereof, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of thecoaxial cable connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector nut shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector nut shown inFIGS. 1-3 engaging an external device port connector.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thecoaxial cable connector of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector nut shown inFIG. 5 engaging an external device port connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the coaxialcable connector 10 of the present invention is shown. The connector 10generally includes a connector body 12, a locking sleeve 14, an annularpost 16 and a rotatable nut 18.

The connector body 12, also called a collar, is an elongate generallycylindrical member, which can be made from plastic or from metal or thelike. The body 12 has a forward end 20 coupled to the post 16 and thenut 18 and an opposite cable receiving end 22 for insertably receivingthe locking sleeve 14, as well as a prepared end of a coaxial cable inthe forward direction as shown by arrow A. The cable receiving end 22 ofthe connector body 12 defines an inner sleeve engagement surface forcoupling with the locking sleeve 14. The inner engagement surface ispreferably formed with a groove or recess 24, which cooperates withmating detent structure 26 provided on the outer surface of the lockingsleeve 14.

The locking sleeve 14 is a generally tubular member having a rearwardcable receiving end 28 and an opposite forward connector insertion end30, which is movably coupled to the inner surface of the connector body12. As mentioned above, the outer cylindrical surface of the sleeve 14includes a plurality of ridges or projections 26, which cooperate withthe groove or recess 24 formed in the inner sleeve engagement surface ofthe connector body 12 to allow for the movable connection of the sleeve14 to the connector body 12 such that the sleeve is lockingly axiallymoveable along arrow A toward the forward end 20 of the connector bodyfrom a first position, as shown for example in FIG. 5, which looselyretains the cable within the connector 10, to a more forward secondposition, as shown in FIG. 2, which secures the cable within theconnector.

The locking sleeve 14 further preferably includes a flanged head portion32 disposed at the rearward cable receiving end 28 thereof. The headportion 32 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of thebody 12 and includes a forward facing perpendicular wall 34, whichserves as an abutment surface against which the rearward end of the body12 stops to prevent further insertion of the sleeve 14 into the body 12.A resilient, sealing O-ring 36 is preferably provided at the forwardfacing perpendicular wall 34 to provide a water-tight seal between thelocking sleeve 14 and the connector body 12 upon insertion of thelocking sleeve within the body.

As mentioned above, the connector 10 of the present invention furtherincludes an annular post 16 coupled to the forward end 20 of theconnector body 12. The annular post 16 includes a flanged base portion38 at its forward end for securing the post within the annular nut 18and an annular tubular extension 40 extending rearwardly within the body12 and terminating adjacent the rearward end 22 of the connector body12. The rearward end of the tubular extension 40 preferably includes aradially outwardly extending ramped flange portion or “barb” 42 toenhance compression of the outer jacket of the coaxial cable to securethe cable within the connector 10. The tubular extension 40 of the post16, the locking sleeve 14 and the body 12 define an annular chamber 44for accommodating the jacket and shield of the inserted coaxial cable.

The connector 10 of the present invention further includes a nut 18rotatably coupled to the forward end 20 of the connector body 12. Thenut 18 may be in any external form, such as that of a hex nut, a knurlednut, a wing nut, or any other known attaching means, and is rotatablycoupled to the connector body 12 for providing mechanical attachment ofthe connector 10 to an external device. A resilient sealing O-ring 46 ispreferably positioned in the nut 18 to provide a water resistant sealbetween the connector body 12, the post 16 and the nut 18.

The connector 10 of the present invention is constructed so as to besupplied in the assembled condition shown in the drawings, wherein thelocking sleeve 14 is pre-installed inside the rearward cable receivingend 22 of the connector body 12. In such assembled condition, a coaxialcable may be inserted through the rearward cable receiving end 28 of thesleeve ring 14 to engage the post 16 of the connector 10. However, it isconceivable that the locking sleeve 14 can be first slipped over the endof a cable and then be inserted into the rearward end 22 of theconnector body 12 together with the cable.

In either case, once the prepared end of a cable is inserted into theconnector body 12 so that the cable jacket is separated from theinsulator by the sharp edge of the annular post 16, the locking sleeve14 is moved axially forward in the direction of arrow A from the firstposition to the second position shown in FIG. 2. This may beaccomplished with a suitable compression tool. As the sleeve 14 is movedaxially forward, the cable jacket is compressed within the annularchamber 44 to secure the cable in the connector.

Once the cable is secured, the connector 10 is ready for attachment to aport connector 48, such as an F-81 connector, of an external device.Attachment of a conventional prior art coaxial cable connector to a portconnector is typically achieved by providing the connector nut with aninternal thread, which cooperatively matches an external thread formedon the port connector. The present invention enhances retention forcebetween the nut and the port connector by providing the nut with aninternal thread that does not match the standard external thread formedon the post connector. In this manner, an interference fit is providedbetween the internal thread of the nut and the external thread of theport connector, which resists “backing-off” or loosening of the nut evenunder vibration. Moreover, the interference fit between the threadsfurther provides a seal against water migration.

Specifically, in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the nut18 is formed with an internally threaded surface 50 whose pitch diameterconically tapers, or reduces in size, along at least a portion of thelength L of the threaded surface. More particularly, the internaldiameter of successive threads decreases in the rearward direction,opposite arrow A. Such taper can begin at the start of the threadedsurface 50 at the forward end 52 of the nut and extend continuously tothe inner-most bottom thread of the threaded surface at the rearward endof the nut.

However, in a preferred embodiment, the threaded surface 50 is formedwith a straight forward portion 56, having threads with a constant pitchdiameter, and a conically tapered rear portion 58, having threads withpitch diameters that successively decrease in the rearward direction, asshown in FIGS. 2-4. The straight portion 56 preferably extends roughlyhalf the length (½ L) of the overall threaded surface. The straightportion 56 is provided, for example, with a standard ⅜-32 thread, whichmatches the standard external thread 60 formed on the port connector 48,as shown in FIG. 4. However, upon entering the tapered thread portion58, the pitch diameter begins to decrease so that the diameter a of thefirst thread 58a of the tapered portion is less than the diameter of thethreads in the straight portion 56, the diameter b of the second thread58b of the tapered portion is less than the diameter a, the diameter cof the third thread 58c of the tapered portion is less than the diameterb, and so on.

The tapered rear portion 58 can have a taper angle α in the range ofbetween ¼ and 5 degrees, as shown in FIG. 3. Best results have beenfound when the taper is formed at about 3 degrees. A 3 degree taperresults in the first thread 58a of the tapered portion having a diametera of about 0.375 inches, the second thread 58b of the tapered portionhaving a diameter b of about 0.371 inches and a third thread 58c of thetapered portion having a diameter c of about 0.368 inches. Of course,these pitch diameters are exemplary and other pitch diameters can beused with the present invention, so long as the pitch diametersgradually decrease in the rearward direction.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, by tapering the threads in the nut 18, aninterference fit between the nut and the port connector 48 is created asthe nut is threaded further onto the port connector. To properly retainthe nut 18 on the port connector 48, and to prevent damage between thetwo as a result of over tightening, it is preferred to apply a knowntorque to the nut upon connection. Test results show that when applying,for example, a 30 inch-pound torque to the nut having the dimensions setforth above, the break-away torque for the nut was between 12 and 22inch-pounds, depending on the type of material of the components.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, in an alternative embodiment, mismatchingof the threads can be achieved by providing fewer threads per inch onthe internal thread 50a of the nut 18a than the standard threads perinch formed on the external thread 60 of the port connector 48.Specifically, as discussed above, typical port connectors 48 are formedwith a standard ⅜-32 external thread 60. This means that the externalthread 60 has 32 threads per inch. Thus, by forming the internal thread50a of the nut 18a with, for example, 30 threads per inch, aninterference between the threads can be created. Using these values, itcan be seen that an interference of 0.002 inches in the area 50a1 of thebottom, or rearward most, two threads (0.064) is created. Again, thisinterference results in the nut 18a resisting “backing-off” or looseningand provides a seal against water migration.

In both embodiments described above, the connector 10 of the presentinvention further includes a biasing element 62 acting between the post16 and the nut 18, 18a for biasing the flanged base portion 38 of thepost against the end face of the port connector 48. In particular, anannular chamber 64 is provided at the rearward, innermost end of the nutthreaded surface 50, in which the biasing element 62 is received. Theannular chamber 64 is defined at its rearward extent by a forward facingwall 66 of an inward radial flange 67 of the nut 18 and the forwardfacing end 69 of the connector body 12. At its forward extent, theannular chamber 64 is defined by a rearward facing wall 68 of theflanged base portion 38 of the post 18.

The annular chamber 64 can be provided by forming a step 54 on the outersurface of the post 16, which engages the forward end 20 of theconnector body 12 and acts as an abutment flange to prevent furtherrearward insertion of the post 16 into the connector body 12 duringmanufacture. The step 54 is spaced from the flanged base portion 38 ofthe post 16 a sufficient distance so that, when the nut 18 is coupled tothe connector body 12, the flanged base portion 38 will be positionedwithin the rear portion 58 of the nut threaded surface 50. Specifically,with the nut 18 having an inner threaded surface 50 having a length L,the flanged base portion 38 of the post is positioned within therearward portion 58 of the length, and preferably within therearward-most one-third extent of the length (⅓ L). Thus, the flangedbase portion 38 of the post 16 is preferably positioned within the nut18, relative to the nut threaded surface 50, such that at least onethread, and no more than three threads, of the threaded surface isdisposed rearward of the rearward facing wall 68 of the flanged baseportion.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the post 16 isprovided with a locking barb 70 to position the flanged base portion 38with respect to the threaded surface 50, 50a of the nut 18.Specifically, the locking barb 70 is spaced from the flanged baseportion 38 of the post 16 a sufficient distance so that, when the nut 18is coupled to the connector body 12, the flanged base portion 38 will bepositioned within the rear portion 58 of the nut threaded surface 50. Inthis embodiment, there is no axial movement of the post 16 with respectto the connector body 12.

In either embodiment, it can be appreciated that the maximum outerdiameter of the post flanged base portion 38 is slightly less than thesmallest inner diameter of the threads of the nut 18. This will permitsome axial movement of the flanged base portion 38 with respect to thethreaded surface 50, 50a of the nut 18.

The biasing element 62 disposed within the annular chamber 64 actsbetween the forward facing wall 66 of the nut 18 and the rearward facingwall 68 of the flanged base portion 38 of the post 16 to urge the nutand the post in opposite axial directions. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the biasing element 62 also urges the connector body 12 in thesame direction as the post 16. Thus, when a coaxial cable (not shown) islocked within the connector body 12 by the locking sleeve 14, thebiasing element 62 will urge the post 16, as well as a forward end ofthe cable, in the direction of arrow A, toward a signal contact 72provided in the port connector 48, when the nut 18, 18a is securedthereto.

The biasing element 62 can be a compression spring, a wave spring(single or double wave), a conical spring washer (slotted or unslotted),a Belleville washer, a high durometer O-ring, or any other suitableelement for applying a biasing force between the post 16 and the nut 18,18a, without locking the post to the nut. In other words, the biasingelement preferably maintains its biasing force upon disconnection andreconnection of the nut 18 with an external device. The biasing element62 is provided to further load the interference between the nut threads50, 50a and the port connector threads 60 and to maintain signal contactbetween the cable and the port connector 48.

By positioning the flanged base portion 38 of the post 16 within therear portion 58 of the nut threaded surface 50, and by providing aconstant tension biasing element 62 within the annular chamber 64between the nut 18 and the post 16, the connector 10 of the presentinvention allows for up to 360 degree “back-off” rotation of the nut 18on a terminal, without signal loss. As a result, maintaining electricalcontact between the coaxial cable connector 10 and the signal contact 72of the port connector 48 is improved by a factor of 400-500%, ascompared with prior art connectors.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beeffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention.

Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures will nowbe evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularlydisclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

1. A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an externalthread of a mating connector, the connector comprising: a connector bodyhaving a forward end and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving acable; a nut rotatably coupled to said forward end of said connectorbody, said nut having an internally threaded surface for engagement withthe external thread of the mating connector, said internally threadedsurface having an axial length, an annular post disposed within saidconnector body, said post having a forward flanged base portion disposedwithin a rearward extent of said axial length of said internallythreaded surface of said nut; and a biasing element acting between saidpost and said nut.
 2. A coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 1,wherein said nut comprises an internal radial flange having a forwardfacing wall and said flanged base portion of said post includes arearward facing wall, said forward facing wall of said nut radial flangeand said rearward facing wall of said post flanged base portion definingan annular chamber for receiving said biasing element.
 3. A coaxialcable connector as defined in claim 2, wherein at least one thread, andno more than three threads, of said nut threaded surface is disposedwithin said annular chamber rearward of said rearward facing wall ofsaid post flanged base portion.
 4. A coaxial cable connector as definedin claim 1, wherein said post comprises a step formed on an outersurface thereof, said step engaging a forward end of said connector bodyfor positioning said post flanged base portion within said axial lengthof said internally threaded surface of said nut.
 5. A coaxial cableconnector as defined in claim 1, wherein said flanged base portion ofsaid post has a maximum outer diameter and said internally threadedsurface of said nut has a minimal inner diameter, said maximum outerdiameter of said post flanged base portion being smaller than saidminimal inner diameter of said nut threaded surface, whereby said postflanged base portion is axially movable with respect to said internallythreaded surface of said nut.
 6. In combination: a connector terminalincluding a rearward facing wall and an externally threaded surface; anda coaxial cable connector connected to said connector terminal, saidcoaxial cable connector comprising: a connector body having a forwardend and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving a cable; a nutrotatably coupled to said forward end of said connector body, said nuthaving an internally threaded surface for engagement with saidexternally threaded surface of said connector terminal, said internallythreaded surface having an axial length, an annular post disposed withinsaid connector body, said post having a forward flanged base portiondisposed within a rearward extent of said axial length of saidinternally threaded surface of said nut; and a biasing element actingbetween said post and said nut to urge a forward facing wall of saidpost flanged base portion against said rearward facing wall of saidconnector terminal, wherein said nut is permitted to rotate up to threehundred sixty degrees before said forward facing wall of said postflanged base portion breaks electrical and mechanical contact with saidrearward facing wall of said connector terminal.
 7. A combination asdefined in claim 6, wherein said nut of said connector comprises aninternal radial flange having a forward facing wall and said flangedbase portion of said post includes a rearward facing wall, said forwardfacing wall of said nut radial flange and said rearward facing wall ofsaid post flanged base portion defining an annular chamber for receivingsaid biasing element.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein atleast one thread, and no more than three threads, of said nut threadedsurface is disposed within said annular chamber rearward of saidrearward facing wall of said post flanged base portion.
 9. A combinationas defined in claim 6, wherein said post of said connector comprises astep formed on an outer surface thereof, said step engaging a forwardend of said connector body for positioning said post flanged baseportion within said axial length of said internally threaded surface ofsaid nut.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said flangedbase portion of said post has a maximum outer diameter and saidinternally threaded surface of said nut has a minimal inner diameter,said maximum outer diameter of said post flanged base portion beingsmaller than said minimal inner diameter of said nut threaded surface,whereby said post flanged base portion is axially movable with respectto said internally threaded surface of said nut.
 11. A method forreducing the tendency of a coaxial cable connector to loosen itself froma device port, the method comprising the steps of: providing a deviceport with a rearward facing wall and an externally threaded surface;providing a coaxial cable connector with a connector body and a nutrotatably coupled to the connector body, said nut having an internallythreaded surface with an axial length; providing an annular postdisposed within said connector body, said post having a forward flangedbase portion disposed within a rearward extent of said axial length ofsaid internally threaded surface of said nut; providing a biasingelement acting between said post and said nut; and connecting saidconnector nut with said device port by rotating said nut in a firstdirection thereby engaging said externally threaded surface of said portwith said internally threaded surface of said connector nut, wherebysaid biasing element urges said forward facing wall of said post flangedbase portion against said rearward facing wall of said port device,whereby said nut is permitted to rotate in a reverse direction up tothree hundred sixty degrees before said forward facing wall of said postflanged base portion breaks contact with said rearward facing wall ofsaid port device.
 12. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein saidbiasing element is selected from the group consisting of compressionsprings, wave springs, conical spring washers, Belleville washers andcompressible O-rings.
 13. A coaxial cable connector for coupling acoaxial cable to an external thread of a mating connector, the connectorcomprising: a connector body having a forward end and a rearward cablereceiving end for receiving a cable; a nut rotatably coupled to theforward end of the connector body, the nut having an internally threadedsurface for engagement with the external thread of the mating connector,the internally threaded surface having an axial length; an annular postdisposed within the connector body, the post having a forward flangedbase portion disposed within a rearward extent of the axial length ofthe internally threaded surface of the nut; and a biasing elementconfigured to apply a biasing force between the post and the nut, atleast a portion of the biasing element disposed in an annular chamberdefined at least in part by a forward face of the connector body. 14.The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the flanged baseportion of the post has a maximum outer diameter and the internallythreaded surface of the nut has a minimal inner diameter, wherein themaximum outer diameter of the post flanged base portion is smaller thanthe minimal inner diameter of the nut threaded surface.
 15. The coaxialcable connector of claim 14, wherein the nut comprises an internalradial flange having a forward facing wall and the flanged base portionof the post includes a rearward facing wall.
 16. The coaxial cableconnector of claim 15, wherein the post comprises a step formed on anouter surface thereof, the step configured to engage a forward end ofthe connector body.
 17. The coaxial cable connector of claim 15, whereinthe post comprises a barb formed on an outer surface thereof, the barbconfigured to engage an inner surface of the connector body.
 18. Thecoaxial cable connector of claim 15, wherein the post flanged baseportion is axially movable with respect to the internally threadedsurface of the nut.
 19. The coaxial cable connector of claim 18, whereinthe nut is permitted to rotate up to three hundred sixty degrees beforea forward facing wall of the post flanged base portion breaks mechanicalcontact with a rearward facing wall of the mating connector.
 20. Thecoaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the biasing elementcomprises a spring.
 21. A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxialcable to an external thread of a mating connector, the connectorcomprising: a connector body having a forward end and a rearward cablereceiving end for receiving a cable; a nut rotatably coupled to theforward end of the connector body, the nut having an internally threadedsurface for engagement with the external thread of the mating connector;an annular post disposed within the connector body, the post having aforward flanged base portion, wherein the flanged base portion of thepost has a maximum outer diameter and the internally threaded surface ofthe nut has a minimal inner diameter, wherein the maximum outer diameterof the post flanged base portion is smaller than the minimal innerdiameter of the nut threaded surface; and a spring in contact with thenut and the post to maintain signal contact between the cable and themating connector, at least a portion of the spring disposed in anannular chamber defined at least in part by a forward face of theconnector body.
 22. The coaxial cable connector of claim 21, wherein thespring comprises a compression spring.
 23. The coaxial cable connectorof claim 21, wherein the spring applies a biasing force between the postand the nut without locking the post to the nut.
 24. The coaxial cableconnector of claim 23, the forward flanged base portion disposed withina rearward extent of the internally threaded surface of the nut.
 25. Thecoaxial cable connector of claim 21, wherein the nut comprises aninternal radial flange having a forward facing wall and the flanged baseportion of the post includes a rearward facing wall.
 26. The coaxialcable connector of claim 25, wherein the post comprises a step formed onan outer surface thereof, the step configured to engage a forward end ofthe connector body.
 27. The coaxial cable connector of claim 25, whereinthe post comprises a barb formed on an outer surface thereof, the barbconfigured to engage an inner surface of the connector body.
 28. Thecoaxial cable connector of claim 25, wherein the post flanged baseportion is axially movable with respect to the internally threadedsurface of the nut.
 29. The coaxial cable connector of claim 28, whereinthe nut is permitted to rotate up to three hundred sixty degrees beforea forward facing wall of the post flanged base portion breaks mechanicalcontact with a rearward facing wall of the mating connector.
 30. Acoaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to a matingconnector, the connector comprising: a connector body having a forwardend and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving a cable; a nutrotatably coupled to the forward end of the connector body, the nuthaving an internally threaded surface; an annular post disposed withinthe connector body, the post having a forward flanged base portion,wherein the flanged base portion of the post has an outer diameter andthe internally threaded surface of the nut has an inner diameter,wherein the outer diameter of the post flanged base portion is smallerthan the inner diameter of the nut threaded surface; and a bias elementto maintain a biasing force between the post and the nut upondisconnection and reconnection of the nut with a mating connector, atleast a portion of the biasing element disposed in an annular chamberdefined at least in part by a forward face of the connector body. 31.The coaxial cable connector of claim 30, wherein the bias elementcomprises a spring.
 32. The coaxial cable connector of claim 31, whereinthe bias element comprises a compression spring.
 33. The coaxial cableconnector of claim 30, the post comprising an annular tubular extensionextending rearwardly within the connector body configured to contact aconductor of the coaxial cable, wherein when the coaxial cable connectoris coupled to the coaxial cable and the mating connector, the biaselement is configured to maintain signal contact between the coaxialcable and the mating connector.
 34. The coaxial cable connector of claim30, further comprising a sealing O-ring positioned between the connectorbody and the nut.
 35. The coaxial cable connector of claim 30, theforward flanged base portion disposed within a rearward extent of theinternally threaded surface of the nut.